(SBA) - This is the time of year when most of us reflect on the holiday traditions of our family. Some years, the activities are part of the celebration, but in other years, we may decide to discard certain traditions and/or we may adopt new traditions dependent on the circumstances. For many years, our family all gathered for the holidays, but now so many members have passed or have moved away, which means that for most of the holiday season, Dale and I are alone. That’s fine, because we spent Thanksgiving with our daughter’s family, and we took birthday and Christmas presents with us. Our twin’s birthday is December 16th and so Christmas and birthday are often combined, although we give (and wrap appropriately) separately the gifts for both occasions. Our oldest son, Andy and his family live in Tallahassee, Florida and our gift to them is usually a check, but in addition, our sixteen-year-old grandson, Oliver, is into baking, so this year he’s receiving a mini bundt cake mold so that he can create individualized cakes for his friends. Fortunately, our middle son, Aaron and his family live in Sioux City and we see them quite often, especially when their two oldest children are playing basketball. We will enjoy a meal and gift opening session with them near Christmas. The date is flexible because Ellie and Noah spend half their time with their mother, Aaron’s first wife and her family. Our daughter-in-law, Erin (married to Aaron!)’s family lives in Cushing and so part of their Christmas celebration is with Erin’s family. We take whatever time is left over, knowing how busy Aaron’s family is.
One family tradition that has disappeared is the filling and receiving of stocking gifts. For years, every person in the family contributed to the filling of stockings for every member of our family and the stocking was usually the best gift that each family member received. The stockings always included a book and the recipient’s favorite candy (to be enjoyed while reading) as well as thank-you cards and stamps so that each gift received was acknowledged quickly. Our rule was the recipient could not eat, wear or play with a gift until the thank you note was written. Now these acknowledgments are sent via text message which fits the purpose but seems quite informal. Although we no longer use stockings, everyone in our family receives a book at Christmas. Sometimes the books are funny—Aaron’s and Dale’s this year are hilarious. Other books are either classics or books that the recipient has requested. Another tradition that my family cherishes is the giving of the annual White House ornament. Since 1982, the White House Historical Society has issued an annual ornament featuring a different President. The 2024 ornament features Jimmy Carter’s family. Originally, the ornaments were produced as a Christmas thank-you to the hundreds of volunteers who perform a variety of duties within the White House year-round. The original ornaments were so popular that soon the ornaments were offered for sale through the Historical Society with all proceeds directed to the works in the White House. My mother began gifting me the ornament each Christmas and today, I have 42 of the ornaments (since 1982) as does our daughter Kelly who inherited my mother’s ornaments after she died. Today, I gift the annual ornament to all three of our children, as well as to special friends who appreciate my attachment to the tradition.
Other traditions that we still follow include putting a dollar into every Salvation Army kettle that we find and donating a decorated tree to the annual Winter Fest raffle. This year’s tree is white with blue and silver ornaments and will grace the home of whomever wins that raffle. If you have not attended the Winter Fest celebration, I urge you to do so next year. This is a free event and includes a donation only if you want to have chili and a cinnamon roll or wish to participate in the raffle of Christmas trees/wreaths/gifts donated by local businesses, individual families and the Community Action Team. This year the raffle included several beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, as well as two bicycles. Free activities during Winter Fest included cake decorating, ornament making, game playing and a chance to visit with Santa Claus.
This year, Dale and I began a new tradition. Someone suggested reading the book of Luke during the month of December, reading the chapter that coincides with the day of the month. As I write this, we are through chapter seven and we are enjoying the opportunity to savor the words in small quantities. Dale and I read separately, but then we discuss the read chapter each evening. So far, I have been particularly fascinated with Luke 2 that traces Joseph’s lineage all of the way back to Adam.
Regardless of how you celebrate the holidays this year, Dale and I wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
